Johnson was initially injured in the second half of the USC game in Week 4, but he returned to the lineup after missing one game against Minnesota. However, he appeared to have suffered a case of turf toe in the first half of Week 8 at Illinois and has not returned to the lineup since.

Early on Friday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel revealed that Michigan football cornerback Will Johnson — who hasn’t suited up for the Wolverines since mid-October — isn’t likely to play at Ohio State on Saturday.

Michigan All-American cornerback Will Johnson's next football game might be played on a Sunday. The projected first-round cornerback is out for the Wolverines' trip to No. 2 Ohio State on

Yeah. I just go by what the doctors say,” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said on Will Johnson injury status and Colston Loveland ahead of Ohio State.

Michigan is expected to be without star defensive back Will Johnson on Saturday when the Wolverines take on No. 2 Ohio State.

We are on the doorstep of another Ohio State vs Michigan rivalry game and there are plenty of storylines to watch. One of those is the status of Wolverine star defensive back, Will Johnson, widely regarded as a first-round NFL draft pick come April.

The good news for Michigan is that it’s played without Johnson for weeks now, leaning on cornerbacks Jyaire Hill, Aamir Hall (a transfer from FCS Albany) and Zeke Berry, a converted nickel. Look for all three to get significant playing time against Ohio State, and safety Makari Paige moving into the slot-corner role.

Johnson was last seen in uniform in the first half of Week 8 against Illinois. But he hasn’t dressed since. And now, with rival Ohio State coming up, the Wolverines need him more than ever. But that’s looking increasingly unlikely.